Page 21 - July 2019 Conference Program Volume 42 No. 01

Historic Theatres Gather for

Regional Meeting

COLDWATER – Historic theatres from Michigan, Indiana and Ohio
gathered in Coldwater, Michigan to network and discuss topics relevant to
the industry.

The informal gathering also epitomized the idea that the show must go on
and clearly showed how easily theatre people adapt. A major storm that
blew through Coldwater at 5 am the day of the meeting felled trees and
took down power lines, knocking out electricity, closing streets throughout
the small town, and leaving Tibbits Opera House, where the meeting was
to be held, in the dark. A new location was found. Tibbits staff redirected
their guests with directions to avoid the road closings. The meeting went
on with a running joke about needing power. The electricity was restored
to the opera house in time for attendees to take a tour of the 137-year-old
theatre before departing.

The meeting held Thursday, May 23 was the second such Midwest regional
gathering. The first was held last September at the Embassy Theatre in Fort
Wayne, IN. The goal of both gatherings was to meet peers in the industry to
discuss common issues and share ideas and opportunities.

The meeting followed the LHAT format of open discussion, sharing of ideas and networking. It opened with
a panel discussion relative to fundraising and funding sources for theatres called “All Things Funding!” Luke
Weick from the Embassy Theater led a discussion on
development and the importance of relationships.
Stephanie Hinman from the Kalamazoo State Theatre
led a discussion on concessions and bar as an important
income stream. Christine Delaney of the Tibbits Opera
House discussed programming to meet the needs of the
community as a way of building support and entrenching
your theatre in the community.

The afternoon included a nuts and bolts session for the
open exchange of ideas and issues affecting theatres.
The day also offered plenty of time to network. Breakfast
and beverages were provided by the Coldwater Country
Conference and Visitors Bureau. Lunch was provided by
LHAT which also offered a door prize of $100 in League
Bucks won by Miriam Morgan from Arts United of Greater
Fort Wayne.
Venues which attended were Arts United Center, Fort
Wayne, IN; Croswell Opera House, Adrian, MI; Dawn
Theatre, Hillsdale, MI; Embassy Theatre, Fort Wayne, IN;
Bohm Theatre, Albion, MI; Goshen Theater, Goshen, IN;
Kalamazoo State Theatre, Kalamazoo, MI; Niswonger
Performing Arts Center, Van Wert, OH; Riviera Theatre,
Three Rivers, MI; Sturges-Young Auditorium, Sturgis, MI;
Wealthy Theatre, Grand Rapids, MI; and Tibbits Opera
House, Coldwater, MI.

Meeting Attendees Oustide Tibbits Opera House
43rd National Conference & Theatre Tour July 2019 INLEAGUE | PAGE 19